A student puts trashes into a fire as protesting students carry out blockading action near place de la Nation, in Paris, on October 2, 2026.Thomas Samson/AFP via Getty Images

France’s Mélenchon doubles down on student protests despite violent clashes – POLITICO

by · POLITICO

PARIS — Far-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon urged his supporters to join nationwide protests on Tuesday in support of students blockading high schools, despite accusations that he instigated violence.

“Our country is witnessing the most powerful movement of high school and college students it has seen since May 1968,” Mélenchon said, referring to the massive demonstrations almost 60 years ago that fundamentally reshaped French society.

In a nearly 20-minute video published Monday, Mélenchon shrugged off accusations from the government and right-wing politicians that he is inciting unrest by calling for more people to come out in support of students. Vandalism or arson incidents occurred at 24 protests last week, Education Minister Edouard Geffray said Sunday.